BIENNIAL SOLID WASTEREPORTOCTOBER 2019Prepared by the New Hampshire De - PDF document

1 BIENNIAL SOLID WASTEREPORTOCTOBER 2019Pr
BIENNIAL SOLID WASTEREPORTOCTOBER 2019Prepared by the New Hampshire Department ofEnvironmental Services ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report WMDState of NewHampshireDepartment of Environmental ServicesRobert R. ScottCommissionerClark B. FreiseAssistant CommissionerMichael J. Wimsatt, P.G.Director, Waste Management DivisionContactWaste Management DivisionSolid Waste Management BureauHazen Drive, PO Box 95Concord, NH 03302(603) 271www.des.nh.gov ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report Table of ContentsIntroductionFigure 1. New Hampshire’s Waste Management HierarchyII.Generation of Solid Waste in New HampshireIII.Disposal of Solid Waste in New HampshireTable 1. New Hampshire Disposal Figures 2015 2018Table 2. Disposal of NHgenerated Waste, Normalized PerCapitaIV.Projected Solid Waste Disposal Need and Disposal CapacityFigure 2. Projected Waste Disposal Need & Capacity for New Hampshire (2020 2040)Projected Waste Disposal NeedProjected Waste Disposal CapacityTable 3. Active NH Disposal Facilities, Listed by Earliest Anticipated Closure DateAssessment of Waste Disposal Need Relative to Waste Disposal CapacityState and Regional Trends in Solid Waste ManagementTrends in New HampshireRegional TrendsVI.Congressional Actions and Court RulingsVII.NHDES’ Solid Waste Programs and Ongoing EffortsNHDES’ Solid Waste Programsgoing Program EffortsOther Organizations Involved in Solid Waste ManagementVIII.Conclusions and RecommendationsAppendix A: Organizations Involved with Solid Waste ManagementState/Local Organizations Regional and National Organizations ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 1 I.IntroductionThis report has been prepared pursuant to NH RSA 149M:29,which directs he New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to prepare a report on New Hampshire’s progress toward reaching the 40% solid waste diversion goal established in RSA 149M:2, as well as proposed strategies for achieving the goal, proposed changes to the goal, and various other details, which are addressed in the bodyof this document.In 1990, RSA 14M was amended to establish a Waste Reduction Goal, which has been subsequently revised over the years. The current version of this goal,established in 1999, sets targetto divert at least 40% of New Hampshire’s solid waste from final disposal by the year 2000 in order to reduce the quantity of solid waste disposed in the state’s landfills and incinerators, asmeasured on a

2 per capita basis. As stated in RSA 149M:
per capita basis. As stated in RSA 149M:2:The general court declares its concern that there are environmental and economic issues pertaining to the disposal of solid waste in landfills and incinerators. It is important to reserve landfill and incinerator capacity for solid wastes which cannot be reduced, reused, recycled or composted. The general court declares that the goal of the state, by the year 2000, is to achieve a 40 percent minimum weight diversion of solid waste landfilled or incinerated on a percapita basis. Diversion shall be measured with respect to changes in waste generated and subsequently landfilled or incinerated in New Hampshire. The goal of weight diversion may be achieved through source reduction, recycling, reuse, and composting, or any combination of such methods. The general court discourages the disposal of recyclable materials in landfills or processing of recyclable materials in incinerators. (RSA 149M:2, I. effective July 20, 1999)While the terminology used to expressthis goalemphasizesdiversion, it is evident that the intention was to reduce the overall quantity of waste generated (via source reduction) while also diverting from disposal waste that cannotbe reduced(via reuse, recyclingor composting). Although RSA 149M:2 discourages the disposal of recyclable materials, it does not establish recycling, composting or other forms of waste diversion as mandatory.To promote achievement of the waste reduction goal, RSA 149M:3 establishea hierarchy of waste management methods to be used in New Hampshire (see Figure 1).Figure 1. New Hampshire’s Waste Management Hierarchy ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 2 This hierarchy provides a standard of preference for management of solid waste in the state, with priority placedon methods that reduce the generation of waste or divert recoverable materials from disposal. Source reduction is at the top of the hierarchy because such practicesprevent a waste from being generated, whichresults in less waste needing endoflife management, conserves resources and reduces overall environmental impact. When a waste is generated, managing it viareuse, recycling orcomposting is preferredbecause these methodsrecover and divert materials from disposal, thereby encouraging circular use of resources. Wastenergy technologies include incineration with energy recovery, anaerobic digestion, and emerging conversion processes that turn waste into fuel. These technologies are preferable to outright disposal in atraditionalincinerator or alandfillbecause they recover energy, reduce volume and we

3 ight, and in some cases may produce usef
ight, and in some cases may produce useful byproducts.As established by the General Court,the waste management hierarchy, in conjunction with the waste reduction goal, was envisioned to supportan integrated waste management system in New Hampshire, combining a variety of approaches to reduce the quantity of waste generated while managing the waste that is generated in the most environmentallyresponsible manner available. In this way, the hierarchy serves as a guiding principle not only for NHDES and the state at large, but also for municipalities, commercial and industrial waste generators, solid waste management companies, and the general publicHowever, it is worth noting that since thehierarchy was established in 1990, waste management infrastructure in New Hampshire has not significantly shifted from disposal (landfilling and incineration) toward more preferredmanagement methods.In preparing this report, NHDES used readilyavailable information to address the topic areasrequired by statute (RSA 149M:29, II). However, NHDES acknowledges that some of the content contained herein may not meet the robust level of detail that was likelyintendedby the statuteThis is partlydue to data and resource limitations, in addition to a lack of statutory clarity. The conclusion of this report provides suggestions on how the waste reduction goal might be revised to enable NHDES to better measure and track progress toward attainment. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 3 II.Generation of Solid Waste in New HampshireThe term “generation” refers to the act of producing a waste, which is something that happens every day in New Hampshire as a result of the routine activities of residents, visitors, businesses, institutions andindustry. RSA 149M generally defines solid wasteas any abandoned or discarded material, excluding hazardous waste, nuclear waste, sludge and septage, point source discharges of certain municipal and industrial wastewater, and yard waste. Given these broad boundaries, the category of solid waste encompasses a wide variety of potential materials, including household trash, recyclable materials, food waste, commercial and industrial waste, construction and demolition debris, electronic waste, asbestos waste, nonhazardous contaminated soil, endoflife motor vehicles, animal carcasses, infectious waste, or anything else that qualifies as abandoned or discardedmaterialFor the purposes of this report, the concept of generation is intended to consider thentiretyof solid waste produced in the state, not only wastes disposed in a landfill

4 or incinerator, but also wastes that are
or incinerator, but also wastes that are diverted (for example,reused, recycled, composted). Estimating statewide generation of solid waste is complex. There are a variety of generators across various sectors in New Hampshire, but NHDES does not specifically track solid waste from the point of generation. Instead, NHDES regulates the management of solid waste at permitted solid waste facilities within the state. This only provides NHDES with ata on wastes managed at these facilities and does not capture all solid waste actually generated within the state. For example, some industrial, commercial or institutional generators may usehauling services that directly transport refuse and recycling to destinations outside of New Hampshire. Further, there is an indeterminable quantity of waste that is generated but never reaches a permitted solid waste facility because it is managed at the site of generation, such as home compostingor is diverted directly to reuse (for instance,donation).According to 2015 data from he United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Uconsumers generate an average 4.48 pounds of municipal solid waste (MSW) per person per day.It is worth noting that this figure does not include generation of construction and demolition debris (C&D), industrial wastes, endoflife motor vehicles, and contaminated soils. Applying EPA’s generation rate to New Hampshire’s 2018 populationwould suggest that just over 1.1 million tons of MSW were generated within the state in 2018. However, as noted above, there are broad categories of solid waste not included in this estimate. Because this figure only represents an estimate of MSW generation, we know that New Hampshire’s actual generation rate for all solid waste is likely considerably higher. However, NHDES does not have data to support a definitive figure. United State Environmental Protection Agency. National Overview: Facts and Figures on Materials, Wastes and Recycling https://www.epa.gov/factsandfiguresaboutmaterialswasteandrecycling/nationaloverviewfacts andfiguresmaterials#Generation According to NHOffice of Strategic Initiatives, New Hampshire’s population in 2018 was 1,365,458. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 4 III.Disposalof Solid Waste in New HampshireThe term “disposal,” defined in RSA 149M:4, VI, generally refers to the act of depositing waste in or on land or water. The term is most commonly used to refer to “final” management methods, including deposition in a landfill or combustion i

5 n an incinerator. As noted in the introd
n an incinerator. As noted in the introduction, disposal methods such as incineration and landfilling are leastpreferred on the waste management hierarchyestablished by RSA 149M:3, while source reduction (reducing the quantity of waste generated at the source) and diversion (such as, reuse, recycling, composting)are at the top of the hierarchy. However, since the hierarchy was established, New Hampshire’s waste management infrastructure has not significantly shifted from a reliance on disposal. With three commercial landfills, three limiservice public landfills, and one commercial wasteenergy facility operating in New Hampshire, the stateis somewhat unique among its neighboring states in terms of active disposal capacity.Table 1 below illustrates total quantities of waste disposed over the last four years at New Hampshire’s landfills and wasteenergy facility. The data are broken down by waste received from instate sources, as well as outofstate sources. The vast majority of outofstate waste disposed in New Hampshire is received by the three commercial landfills. As the table shows, disposal tonnages have increased incrementally over the last several years, while the ratio of instate waste compared to outofstate waste has hovered around 50%.Table 1. New Hampshire Disposal Figures 2015 2018 Year Total Tons Disposed Tons from In tate Sources Tons from Out State Sources Percentage tate Sources 2015 1,973,561 1,053,130 920,431 53% 2016 2,076,656 1,082,138 994,518 52% 2017 2,329,946 1,225,366 1,104,580 53% 2018 2,388,877 1,228,819 1,160,058 51% Table 2. Disposal of NHgenerated Waste, Normalized PerCapita Year NH Population* Total Tons Disposed From Intate Sources Tons Disposed per Capita 2015 1,330,608 1,053,130 0.79 2016 1,334,795 1,082,138 0.81 2017 1,342,795 1,225,366 0.91 2018 1,356,458 1,228,819 0.91 * Population estimates from NampshireOffice of Strategic Initiatives https://www.nh.gov/osi/data - center/population - estimates.htm Table 2 shows disposal of waste generated in New Hampshire relative to the state’s population. The data show an increase in per capita disposal from 2016 to2017, with0.81 tons disposed per person in 2016 to 0.91 tons disposed per person in 2017. While there is not enough information to conclusively ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 5 determine the cause for this increase, it is likely due to a number of factors, including increased waste generation resulting from increased economic activity. In addition, internati

6 onal recycling markets began to experien
onal recycling markets began to experience disruptions in the second half of 2017, and the situation worsened considerably in 2018. However, it is unclear to what degree this impacted per capita disposal rates, especially in light of the fact that the rate of 0.91 tons disposed per person did not change from 2017 to 2018, despite growing challenges for recycling markets over the same period.Disposal is a metric that NHDES can definitively track and measure. However, relative to the hierarchy of preferred waste management methods, NHDES acknowledges that the agency has some blind spots in terms of tracking management trends higher on the hierarchy. ource reduction is something the agency does not track, andeven if itattempted to do so, it would be inherently difficult to estimate source reduction in a meaningful wayFor example, source reduction is a common occurrence in today’s consumer marketplace, where packaging manufacturers have been using increasingly thinner, lighter materials to produce product packaging, such aslighter weight plastic water bottlesandflexible plastic pouches instead of paperboard. However, NHDES is not in a position to measure or quantify how this trend has been affecting New Hampshire’s waste stream. Similarly, NHDES does not currently have reliable information on New Hampshire’s recent recycling trends. Obtaining and analyzing data to produce meaningful statewide estimates is a complex task, and NHDES has been limited in terms of both s ability to obtain comprehensive data as well as the necessary program resources to allow the departmento measurerecycling trends, or other diversion trends, with a high degree of confidence. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 6 IV.ProjectedSolid Waste Disposal Need and DisposalCapacityFigure 2 illustrates NHDES’ projections for the quantity of solid waste generated in New Hampshire needing disposal compared to available permitted disposal capacity at New Hampshire’s landfills and incinerators. Further explanation of the figure and how NHDES derived these projections is providedbelow.Figure 2. Projected Waste Disposal Need & Capacity for New Hampshire (2020 2040)Projected Waste Disposal NeedFor this report, NHDES projected New Hampshire’s solid waste disposal need in accordance with RSA 149M:11, V, which requires the department to consider disposal need over a 20year planning period. There are numerous methods by which such disposal need projections might be made. NHDES based its projections on the following:Disposal tonnage reported by NH’s oper

7 ating landfills and incinerators n their
ating landfills and incinerators n their 2018 annual facility reports (AFRsExport data reported to NHDES from 2000 through 2017Population projections made by the NH Office of Strategic Initiatives (NHOSI), dated September 2016, which are the most current population projections available for the 20year planning periodThe statutory requirementin RSA 149M:11, V(a)that disposal projections account for all waste generated in New Hampshire (including waste exported to outofstate disposal facilitiesThe assumption that New Hampshire’s rate of disposal will remain constant over the 20year planning periodThe assumption that diversion rates will remain constant over the 20year planning period. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 7 NHDES estimated the disposal rate at New ampshirelandfills and incinerators for instate generated solid waste in 2018 as about 5.0 pounds per person per day, and assumed this to bethe baseline waste disposal need for New Hampshire. Consistent with RSA 149M:11, NHDES attempted to account for all solid waste generated within New Hampshire destined for disposal by including the amount of solid waste generated in New Hampshire that isexported to outofstate disposal facilities. NHDES estimates this disposal export rate at 14%, based on the average export rate from 2000 to 2017 plus one standard deviation (to account for variability and unreported exports).Based on this estimate, waste exported for disposal outside of New Hampshireequates to approximately 0.8 pounds per person per day. Therefore, New Hampshire’s total solid waste disposal rate, inclusive of exports, is estimated to be about 5.8 pounds per person per day. Because this estimate relates solely to disposal, it does not account for solid waste diverted from disposalby way of reuse, recycling or compostingThe “Projected Waste Disposal Need” line depicted in Figure 2 represents 5.8 poundsper person per day multiplied bythe population projections made on 5year intervals by NHOSI.Changes in any of the factors and assumptions noted above may affect actual disposal need.Projected Waste Disposal CapacityProjected waste disposal capacity is based on a combination of factors, including specific conditions relative to operational lifespancontained in each disposal facility’s permit. NHDES estimated the statewide “Projected Waste Disposal Capacity” line shown in Figure 2 based on the following:The total permitted capacityof New ampshiresolid waste disposal facilities, excluding unlined landfills pursuant to RSA 149M:11, V(a) and limited private

8 facilities, which are closed loop facil
facilities, which are closed loop facilities that only serve the capacity needs of the generator who owns the facilityand therefore do not provide disposal capacity for the general publicThe assumption that landfill operators will fill at the maximum rate allowed by the facility’s permit, regardless of operational limitationsThe assumption that a facility will close on the minimum operational date required by permit, which NHDES considers the earliest anticipated closure date of a disposal facility.These assumptions result in a slightly conservative but reasonable scenario for projected disposal capacity in New Hampshire. Note that Figure 2 shows the earliest anticipated closure dates for the state’s commercial landfills, which accept the majority of New Hampshire’s solid waste, and Table 3 below shows the earliest anticipated closure date of each disposal facility in New Hampshire, excluding unlined landfills and limited private facilities. The average export rate for solid waste during this 17year period was about 10% and the standard deviation was about 4%. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 8 Table 3. Active New ampshireDisposal Facilities, Listed by Earliest Anticipated Closure Facility Type Facility Name Location Service Type / Service Area Earliest Anticipated Closure Date Waste - to - nergy Incinerator WheelabratorConcord Company L.P.Concord, NHCommercial / UnlimitedNone Incinerator resource recovery) HebronBridgewater Refuse DistrictBridgewater, NHLimited Public / LimitedNone Landfill North Country Environmental Services, Inc. Bethlehem, NH Commercial / Unlimited April 1, 2021 Four Hills Secure Landfill Expansion Nashua, NH Limited Public / Limited April , 2023 Mount Carberry Secure Landfill Success, NH Commercial / Unlimited April 29, 2025 Lebanon Regional Solid Waste Facility Lebanon, NH Limited Public / Limited est. 2027 Lower Mount Washington Valley Secure Solid Waste Landfill Conway, NHLimited Public / Limitedest. 2033 TLR - III Refuse Disposal Facility Rochester, NH Commercial / Unlimited June 30, 2034 Assessment of Waste Disposal Need Relative toWaste Disposal CapacityBased on a review of Figure 2, NHDES predicts a limited shortfall in disposal capacityetween 2025 and 2034, ranging between about 20,000 and 120,000 tonsper year. In 2034, assuming that TLRIII Refuse Disposal Facility in Rochester, NH closesthe Wheelabrator Concord Company L.P. wasteenergy plant in Concord, NH remains operational, and there are no change

9 in current solid waste diversion rates,
in current solid waste diversion rates, thestate will experience a shortfall in disposal capacity of about 1.35 million tons per year thereafter. Although some landfills may have physical space to accommodate future expansions, NHDES’ projections do not consider hypothetical capacity, but are based solely on permitted capacity as of the date of this report. As disposal facilities seek approvals for additional permitted capacity, the projections made herein are subject to change. North Country Environmental Services, Inc.: Condition (13)(a) of the permit modification effective August 15, 2014 stipulates that the permittee shall operate Stage V in a manner that provides 5.3 or more years of disposal capacity. The permittee begaoperations in Stage V on December 28, 2015.our Hills Secure Landfill Expansion: Condition (7) of the facility’s Standard Permit, effective June 26, 1995, stipulates that the permittee shall operate the facility in a manner that provides 20 or more years of disposal capacity. The permittee began operations in Phase I on April 15, 2003.Mount Carberry Secure Landfill: Condition (20)(b) of the permit modification effective February 25, 2019 stipulates that the permittee shall operate the facility through at least April 29, 2025.Lebanon Regional Solid Waste Facility: There is no minimum operating life expectancy inthe facility permit. The anticipated closure date is estimated based on projected remaining capacity and life expectancy reported in the facility’s 2018 Annual Facility Report.Lower Mount Washington Valley Secure Solid Waste Landfill: There is no minimum operating life expectancy in the facility permit. The anticipated closure date is estimated based on projected remaining capacity reported in the facility’s 2018 Annual Facility Report, and a proposed fill rate in the initial facility permit application of 10,000 tons per year.TLRIII Refuse Disposal Facility (aka Turnkey Landfill): Condition (21)(b) of the permit modification effective June 11, 2018 stipulates that the permittee shall operate the facility through at least June 30, 2034. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 9 State and Regional Trends in Solid Waste ManagementTrends in New HampshireLandfill ExpansionsApplications for landfill expansionconstitute the vast majority of requests for new permitted solid waste management capacity received by NHDES. At the same time, there continues to be significant public opposition to expandingexisting facilitiesor siting new disposal facilities.Waste mpor

10 tsOutofstate waste compriseroughly 50% o
tsOutofstate waste compriseroughly 50% of total waste disposed in New Hampshire facilities. Most of the outofstate waste disposed in New Hampshire is received by three commercial landfills. Commercial disposal facilities in New Hampshire are permitted to receive waste from outofstate sources, provided they also provide capacity for Nampshiregenerated waste. The Commerce Clause of the UConstitution has commonlybeen interpreted to preempt a state from explicitly prohibiting or adopting protectionist policies against the acceptance and disposal of outofstate waste.Legislative Attention to Waste IssuesThere has been increased interest in issues related to solid wastewithin the last year, with several bills introduced during the 2019 legislative session focused on recycling and plastic waste reduction, including:HB 102 and HB 559 both of these bills relate to enabling municipalities to ban or otherwise regulate the distribution of disposable, singleuse plastic items such as plastic shopping bags, straws, and takeout food containers. Both of these bills were retained in committee.HB 558 an act relative to restricting the distribution of plastic straws at food service businesses, unless a customer specifically requestone. The bill passed the House, but was deemed inexpedient to legislate by the Senate.HB 56initially introduced as an act relative to restricting the distribution of singleuse carryout bags by retails stores and food service businesses, this bill passed the House. It was subsequently amended by the Senate, butthe House did not concur with the Senate’s amended version.HB 617 an act establishing a committee to study recycling streams and solid waste management in New Hampshire. The bill passed the House and Senate, and was signed into law by Governor Sununu. The committee convened for the first time on August 28, 2019 and is required to produce a report of findings and recommendations by November 1, 2019. SB 79 an act relative to required reporting on waste reduction. To help NHDES better assess achievement of the 40% diversion goal in RSA 149M and further solid waste management planning efforts, the bill requires New Hampshire towns to report certain recycling and diversion information to NHDES. NHDES worked with the prime sponsor to amend the bill, which passed the Senate, but was retained in the House.Organic Waste DiversionIn recent yearsthere has been rising interest among legislators, municipalities, regional organizations, commercial/institutional entities, and members of the general public n the topic of composting and organic waste diversion. Diverting organics is consistent with the

11 hierarchy, recovers resources, reduces
hierarchy, recovers resources, reduces disposal need, and has the potential to reduce waste The 1978 Supreme Court Case, Philadelphiav. New Jersey,struck down a New Jersey law that prohibited the importation of wasteinto the state. Foradditional information, see: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/statecommerce.htm ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 10 management costs. In an effort to encouragedevelopment of food waste composting infrastructure, NHDES convened a stakeholder workgroup in 20172018 to look at potential revisions to the ew ampshireSolid Waste Rules (see discussion of ongoing efforts in Section VIhereinRegional TrendsRecycling Market DownturnRegional (and international) recycling markets experienceda significant downturn starting in late 2017, spurred by China’s National Sword Policy, which effectively banned that country’s importation of certain recyclable commodities in response to contamination issuessuch asunacceptable or nonrecyclableitemsmixed with recyclables). Prior to this policy, China had been a leading importer of the world’s secondary materials, which provided feedstock for Chinamanufacturing sector. he implementation of National Swordsignificantly loweredthe value of recycled commodities worldwide. Mixed plastics and mixed paperwere particularly affected, asthese streams have traditionally been dependent on export markets and are commonly prone to higher contamination rates, especially when sourced from single stream recycling programs. With the world’s largest consumer of secondary materials no longer available, recycling markets worsenedthrough 2018 to present. As a result, municipal single stream recycling programs across the United States are experiencing rising costs as waste management companies that process and sort recyclables at material recovery facilities (MRFs) are facing depressed revenues and increased processing costs.Municipalities that have not adopted single stream recycling have also been affected by depressed commodity revenues, but in many cases are faring slightly better overall. In response to this economic shift, some communities have decided to suspendrecycling programs, either entirely or in part. Some New England states with mandatory recycling policies are reacting by temporarily lifting disposal bans for certain recycling streams that currently have no viable outlet. States like Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island are attempting to get at the root of the problem by addressing the issue of con

12 tamination and increasing outreach to ed
tamination and increasing outreach to educate the public about how to “recycle right.” Waste management companies are investing in MRF upgrades to more effectively sort materials and meet market expectations for lower contamination. Meanwhile, the manufacturing industry in the Uis starting to respond by developing increased domestic capacity for use of recycled feedstockssuch as mixed paper or plastito produce new products and packagingDisposal Capacity ChallengesOver the last year, two commercial landfills in Massachusetts ceased operations. The closure of these facilities, one in Chicopee and the other in Southbridge, represents a loss in regional disposal capacity of approximately 500,000 tons per year. This development puts pressure on the region’s remaining disposal infrastructure, and exports of waste from Massachusetts are expected to increase. As a result, there has been heightened interest in hauling waste by rail or truck to locations outside the Northeast that have ample disposal capacity, such as Pennsylvania or Ohio. Meanwhile, astenergy facilities face economicpressures as they compete in a marketplace with A recent report published by the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) surveyed 15 MRFs across 10 Northeast states to learn more about average value of material processed through these facilities, as well as the average composition of the recycling stream. The report indicates that, on average, roughly 12% of the material received by these facilities is considered “residue” (i.e. contaminants that can’t be processed through the MRF’s system). Rising contamination rates in recycling streams have been a growing challenge for MRFs in recent years (especially for those that process single stream), which in turn has affected processing costs for these facilities. The full report is available here: https://nerc.org/documents/Recycling%20Market%20Development/Blended_Commodity_Values_in_the_Northea st%20%20August_2019.pdf ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 11 other electricity producers that ue relatively inexpensive natural gas and have comparatively lower operational costs.Organic Waste DisposalBansSeveral Northeast states have enacted laws banning the disposal of food waste in recent years. In 2014Vermont enacted Act 148 (a.k.a. The Universal Recycling Law), which includes requirements for diversion of food scraps. ermonAct 148 uses a phasein approach, targeting the largest food waste generators first and incrementally decreasing the generation th

13 reshold until all generators will be req
reshold until all generators will be required to divert food scraps, regardless of quantitiesgenerate. Vermont’s approach has gained attention as the most aggressive statewide organics diversion policy. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York have taken a different approach by enacting food waste disposal bans that target largescale generators. In most cases, these bans apply to commercial or institutional generators that produce a ton or moreoffood waste per week. States across the region have adoptedthese statutory requirements to reduce disposal need and spur development of infrastructure for composting and anaerobic digestion.Extended Producer ResponsibilityIn order to encourage resource recovery and minimize the impacts to public health, safety and the environment from the use and disposal of consumer products, several Northeastern states have adopted extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws that require manufacturers to share responsibility for endoflife management of the product(s) theyproduce. A longstanding example of one such policy in New Hampshire is the mercury thermostat takeback program established in 2008 (RSA 149M:58a). More recent examples of EPR programs in other states include:Paint takeback programs in Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and VermontElectronic waste recycling programs in Connecticut, Maine, New York, Rhode Island, and VermontA battery recycling program in Vermonthat targetssingleuse and rechargeable batteriesA recent initiative in Maine that seeks to assist municipal recycling programs by requiring manufacturers of packaging/containers to share in the costs of managing and recycling packaging products sold in the state. The Maine Legislature has charged MaineDEP with developing proposed legislation for this purpose, which is largely a response to the recent upheaval of recycling markets.Bans on Singleuse Products in 2019, several Northeastern states passed laws restricting the distribution of singleuse plastic consumer products, including:Connecticut, Maine and New York will restrict the distribution of plastic shopping bagsMaine will ban expanded polystyrene (EPSfoamfood and beverage containersVermont has passed a comprehensive law targeting several singleuse plastic products, including plastic bags, plastic straws, and polystyrene foam food and beverage containers.VI.Congressional Actions and Court RulingsNHDES is not aware of any recent federal legislation or court rulings that have affected the management of solid wason a national level ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 12 VII.

14 NHDESSolid Waste Programsand Ongoing Eff
NHDESSolid Waste Programsand Ongoing EffortsRSA 149M grants NHDESauthority to administer and enforce the provisions ofRSA 149M, and the Solid Waste Rules adopted pursuant to RSA 149M. This work is carried out by thelid Waste Management Bureau (Bureau) within NHDES’ Waste Management Division. The Bureauensurthat management of solid waste in New Hampshire is protective of human health and the environmentby regulating the facilities and practices associated with the collection, processing, treatment, recycling, reuse, and disposal of solid waste in New Hampshire. Examples of the types of facilities regulated by the Bureau include transfer stations, recycling centers, scrap yards, composting facilities, incineratorsand landfills. The Bureau oversees and assures compliance for approximately 260 active permitted solid waste facilities, 120 motor vehicle salvage yards, and 600+ closed, inactive solid waste disposal sitesconsisting of inactive landfills and asbestos disposal sites)NHDES’ Solid Waste ProgramsAlthough at one time NHDES had resources dedicated specifically to waste reductionthroughtechnical assistance, outreach and planning, those resources were incrementally lost over time due to general fund budget constraints. Unfortunately, the resultant deficiencies have not allowed the Bureau to pursue these program areas in recent years. Using its current resources, the Bureau focuses its efforts on two essential program areas:ermitting of solid waste facilitiesIn accordance with RSA 149M:6, III, the Bureau regulates solid waste facilities through the administration of a permit system. The Bureau’s Permitting and Design Review Section is responsible for processingapplications for facility permits, permit modifications, and other requests requiring approval by NHDES. The Permitting and Design Review Section also providpermitting technical assistance, inspects and monitorthe operationconstructionand closureof New Hampshire’s active landfillsand processing/treatment facilities, and reviews environmental monitoring data and proposed plans for corrective actions when problems are identified.Compliance assurance for solid waste facilitiesThe Bureau’s Compliance Assurance Section is responsible for assuring that solid waste facilities are operated and closed in compliance with permit requirements, the Solid Waste Rules (EnvSw 100 et seq.) and RSA 149. This involves providing compliance technical assistance, reviewing reports, conducting facility inspections, investigating complaints, and pursuing enforcement when necessary. The Compliance Assurance Section also assures that facility owne

15 rs maintainadequate funds to guaranteepr
rs maintainadequate funds to guaranteeproper closure and postclosure care of facilities, and distributes grant money to reimburse municipalities for eligible costs for closure of old landfills and incinerators. In addition, and as required by RSA 149M:6, XIII, the Bureau administers a training and certification program for solid waste facility operators, known as the Solid Waste Operator Training (SWOT) Program. Each year the Bureau hosts multiple ‘Basic Training’ SWOT workshops for new operators and also provides numerous continuing education opportunities (provided by HDESstaff and/or 3parties). The SWOT Program equips facility operators with an awareness of regulatory requirements, fosters a direct relationship between the Bureau and the regulated community, and promotes voluntary compliance. There are over 1,200 solid waste operators currently certified under this program. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 13 going Program Effortsgoing efforts by the Bureau include the following:The Permitting and Design Review Section has been working to streamline application processing procedures in response to recent changes to RSA 541A:29 and the addition of RSA 541A:29a that imposed shortened application processing time limits and provisions for automatic approval should the agency fail to act within the prescribed time limits, respectivelyThechanges, which took effect onJanuary 1, 2019, requiredthe Bureau to devote intensive efforts to completing application reviews and avoiding automatic, default approvals. As a result, other program obligationscould not be fulfilledDuring the Spring 2019 legislative session, NHDES supportedenate 163 to restore application processing time limits to those previously allowed by the Solid Waste Rules. Senate Bill 163 passed the House and Senate, was signed by Governor Sununu, and took effect September 17, 2019. Senate Bill 163 hasprovided some relief for application processing timelimits; however, the default approval provision in RSA 541:29a remaina significant concern. If program resource levels are not adequately maintained, default approvals may occur, and other important program functions will also sufferThe Compliance Assurance Section has put an emphasis on closed/inactivelandfill monitoring and maintenance to ensure facility owners and permittees are aware of ongoing requirements. With over 300 closed landfills across the state, nearlyevery New Hampshire municipality is host toat least one such facility, the majority of which are unlinedAlthough perhaps not always considered part of the state&#

16 146;s solid waste management infrastruct
146;s solid waste management infrastructure, these closed landfillscontinue to perform a critical function as waste containment systems. As these facilitiesage, it is importantthat theyare properly monitored and maintained to minimize adverse impacts to public health, safety and the environment.As resources allow, the Bureau has been also been working on the following:Updating the State’s Solid Waste Management Plan, as required by RSA 149M:29.The last plan was published in 2003.Revising regulatory requirements for compostingfacilities in New Hampshire. In 20172018, under the direction of RSA 149M:7, XV, NHDES convened a stakeholder workgroup to look at potential revisions tothe currentcomposting rules, which regulate the siting, design and operating requirements for composting facilities.The workgroup providedNHDES feedbackon numerous aspects of the rules, especially with regard to composting of meat and dairy food scrapan activity that is currently allowed in New Hampshire, but only under a standard permit, which involves a detailed application and review processStakeholders have expressed a desire to conduct meat and dairy composting under the more streamlined “permitbynotification” provisions of therules.NHDES intends to implement rule revisionsto improve the permitting frameworkas soon as feasible. In the meantime, NHDES has been communicating with interested parties on potential pathways to accommodate development of meat and dairy composting operations under the current regulatory framework. Despite these efforts, NHDES has not received any applications for additional composting capacity to date. The 2003 New Hampshire Solid Waste Management Plan is available on NHDES’ website: https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/publications/documents/r2.pdf ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 14 Identifying wastes that may warrant specific attention, suchas street sweepings, contaminated soils andwastes containing perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as well asconsiderations for management of landfill leachatethat contains PFAS contaminationther OrganizationInvolved in Solid Waste ManagementFor a list of other organizations involved in solid waste issues in New Hampshire, see Appendix A. The list includes a brief description of each organization. Further details for each organization can be obtained by going to its website or contacting the organization directly. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 15

17 VIII.Conclusions and RecommendationsAs
VIII.Conclusions and RecommendationsAs stated in RSA 149M:29, II, one of the primary purposes of this report is to assess the level of achievement in reaching the 40% diversion goal established in RSA 149M:2 (Waste Reduction Goal). Consideringthe information provided above, NHDES is not able to adequately assess the state’s achievement of the 40% diversion goal. This is due in large part to the noted resource deficiencieswithin theSolid Waste Management Bureau, as well asdifficulty obtaining and analyzing data. ore importantly, NHDES notes that successive revisions to the Waste Reduction Goal have obscured the original intention of the goal, making it unclear what exactly the goal intends to measureor howiversionshould be definedIn light of this, and in consideration of the difficulties inherent in measuring solid waste generation, source reductionanddiversion(as noted previously in this report), NHDES respectfully submits that the Waste Reduction Goal might be revised and restructured as a Disposal Reduction Goal.Because disposal tonnage is something that NHDES can definitively measure, NHDES believes it would be much more feasible to track chages in waste disposed overtime than to track changes in waste generatedIt is worth noting that challenges with measuringwaste generation, source reduction and diversionare not unique to New Hampshire. For example, in Massachusetts, the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has recently shifted fromusing awaste reduction/diversion target, to instead use a disposal reduction targetas an indicator of overall waste reduction and diversion progressNHDES believes that adopting a similar practice for New Hampshire could providea clearandmeasurable metric for tracking waste reductionand diversionin the stateNHDES would suggest aDisposal Reduction Goal thatdefinea baseline yearand seta specific getto reduce annual tonnage disposed by as comparedto the baselinewithin a specified time period.For example, MassDEP’s 20102020 Solid Waste Master Plan sets 2008as thebaseline, withshortand longterm goals to reduce annual solid waste disposal 30% by 2030, and 80% by 2050.Annual disposal could also be measured on a per capitabasisto account for changes in population over time.In light of New Hampshire’s continued reliance on disposaland limited progress toward advancing more preferable management methods identified in the Waste Management Hierarchy, it is clear that the Waste Reduction Goal in RSA 149M:2 warrantsreconsiderationNo matter whatcourse of action the General Court decidesto take, NHDES would recommend a goal thatis relevant,achievableand mea

18 surableFurthermore, iNHDES is directedto
surableFurthermore, iNHDES is directedto encourage,promote, and measureachievement of the goal, the agency eed to have clear statutory authorityand the tools necessary to perform suchfunctionsAs required by statute, the recommendations in this report are focusedspecifically on the Waste Reduction Goal. NHDES may provide additionalrecommendations related to broader solid waste managementissuesin other communications with the General Court.NHDES looks forward to its continuing work with the HB 617 Study Committee and the General Court at large with respect to vital solid waste policy issues, andNHDESwill continue in its effortsto achieve the goals and mandates of RSA 149M to the extent its resources allow. MassDEP, 20102020 Solid Waste Master Plan p. 17, bottom: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/nw/swmp13f.pdf ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 16 AppendixOrganizations Involved with Solid Waste Managementtate/LocalrganizationsAuto and Truck Recyclers Association of NH (ATRA)Address:PO Box 2761, Concord, NH 033022761Telephone:(603) 5297211Website:http://www.atranh.org/ Contact: David Wilusz, President, allied10@aol.com The Auto and Truck Recyclers Association of New Hampshire (ATRA) promotes environmentally friendly business practices for facilities engaged in automobile and truck recycling, dismantling and salvage within the state of New Hampshire. ATRA encouragesuniform commercial practices among its members and provides leadership in ensuring familiarity with local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing the conduct of suchbusinesses.It represents the interests of its members before governing bodies, seeking to ensure recognition of the contributions of the vehicle recycling industry.ATRA seeks to work closely with regulatory bodies such as the Department of EnvironmentalServices, the Department of Safetyandthe Department of Transportationas well as organizations with similar goalssuch asthe New ampshireMunicipal Association, ew ampshireAuto Dealers Association, the New ampshireTowing Association and many others.Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC)Address:Humiston Building, 103 Main Street, Suite 3, Meredith, NH 03253Telephone:(603) 2795341Website:https://www.lakesrpc.org/ Contact: Dave Jeffers, Regional Planner, djeffers@lakesrpc.org The Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC) is a unique association of local governments that provides comprehensive planning services to meet the diverse needs of New Hampshire’sLakes Region. Their mission is to prov

19 ide effective planning, in order to achi
ide effective planning, in order to achieve and sustain a quality environment, a dynamic economy, and local cultural values by supporting community efforts through leadership, education, technical assistance, information, advocacy, coordination and responsive representation. During the tenure of this report, the LRPC has developed a series of Solid Waste Roundtable events where they invite attendees to learn about solid waste issues in the region and offer solutions. Topics range from capped landfill maintenance, to disposal and use of glass, to food waste composting. Inaddition, they coordinate the household hazardous waste collection events for the Lakes Region.New Hampshire the BeautifulAddress: 2101 DoverRoad, Epsom, NH 03234Telephone:8887844442 TollFree in NH, (603) 7364401Website: http://www.nhthebeautiful.org/ Emailnhtb@nrra.net New Hampshire the Beautiful, Inc. (NHtB) is a private, nonprofit Charitable Trust established in 1983 and voluntarily funded by the soft drink distributors and bottlers, retail grocers, and the malt beverage industry. The Board of Directors of NHtB has awarded the Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA) a contract to administer the grants and solid waste facility sign programs in addition to overseeing the distribution of litter bags for roadside cleanups across New Hampshire. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 17 UNH Cooperative ExtensionAddress: TaylorHall, 59 College Road, Durham, NHTelephone:8007352964 TollFree in NH, (603) 8621520Website:https://extension.unh.edu/ The Cooperative Extension Network provides information and outreach on a multitudeof topics to the citizens of New Hampshire. For example, through their Master Gardeners Program, they provide information on backyard composting and community gardens. They also continue to provide information on the use of wood ash as an agricultural soil amendment and promote the reduction of marine debris through a project that recycles derelict fishing gear.Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission (UVLSRPC)Address:10 Water Street, Suite 225, Lebanon, NH 03766Telephone:(603) 448168Website:https://www.uvlsrpc.org/ Contact:Vickie Davis, Planner, vdavis@uvlsrpc.org The Upper Valley Lakes Sunapee Regional Planning Commission (UVLSRPC) has been providing professional planning assistance to municipal boards since 1963. UVLSRPC coordinates all aspects of planning, act as a liaison between local and state/federal governments and provide advisory technical assistance to the 27 communities and committees in its region who affect

20 thefuture land use of the region.UVLSRPC
thefuture land use of the region.UVLSRPC has provided training to solid waste operators on implementing organics recycling at rural transfer stations, reduction of HHW in the waste stream and improper disposal of medicines. The group also worked with business owners who are small quantity generators of hazardous waste for better solutions for managing their waste. egionaland NationalrganizationsAssociation of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO)Address:1101 17Street NW, Suite 707, Washington, DC 20036Telephone:(202) 6401060Website:http://astswmo.org Contact:Cathy Jamieson, Materials Management Subcommittee Chair, cathy.jamieson@vermont.gov The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO) supports the environmental agencies of the States and trust territories. ASTSWMO focusses on the needs of State hazardous waste programs; nonhazardous municipal solid waste and industrial waste programs; recycling, waste minimization, and reduction programs; Superfund and State cleanup programs; waste management and cleanup activities at federal facilities, and underground storage tank and leaking underground storage tank programs. The association’s mission is: “To Enhance and Promote Effective State and Territorial Waste Management Programs, and Affect National Waste Management Policies.” The organization is structured to accomplish this twopart mission through both member committees and Association staff efforts. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 18 Northeast Recycling Council (NERC)Address:139 Main Street, Suite 401, Brattleboro, VT 05301Telephone:(802) 2543636Web Sitehttps://nerc.org Contact:Lynn Rubinstein, Executive Director, lynn@nerc.org The Northeast Recycling Council provides technical assistance, information access, research and networking opportunities on recycling market development for state and regional programs in the six New England states as well as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In addition to providing a forum for the exchange of information between states and state agencies, NERC undertakes research and education projects that address regional recycling, market development and waste management issues. Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA)Address:2101 Dover Road, Epsom, NH 03234Telephone:(603) 7364401 or (800) 2230150Web Site:https://nrra.net Contact:Reagan Bissonnette, Executive Director,rbissonnette@nrra.net Founded in 1981 as a private, nonprofit organization, NRRAprovides technical, educational, and mark

21 eting support to New Hampshire municipal
eting support to New Hampshire municipal recycling programs. NRRA provides marketing and brokerage services for municipalities in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. This cooperative approach combines materials from many communities to gain economies of scale in transportationand offersaccess to markets which would typically be denied to individual small communities. NRRA also provides extensive outreach and technical assistance to its member communities designed to strengthen and expand recycling and waste diversion activities. Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA)Address:89 South Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02111Telephone:(617) 3678558Website:http://www.newmoa.org/ Contact:Jennifer Griffith, jgriffith@newmoa.org The Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOAis a nonprofit, nonpartisan, interstate association established in 1986 by the governors of the New England states as an official interstate regional organization. The membership is composed of state environmental agency directors of the hazardous waste, solid waste, waste site cleanup, pollution prevention and underground storage tank programs in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont. NEWMOA’s mission is to help states articulate, promote, and implement economically sound regional programs for the enhancement of environmental protection. The group fulfills this mission by providing a variety of support services that facilitate communication and cooperation among member states and between the states and EPA, and promotingthe efficient sharing of stateand federal program resources.Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)Address:1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 650, Silver Spring, MD 20910Telephone:800GOSWANA (14679262)Website:https://swana.org/ Contact:Meri Beth Wojtaszek, Deputy Executive DirectorThe Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANAisthe largest memberbased solid waste association in the world with 45 Chapters, in the U.S, Canada and the Caribbean and over 10,000 members. SWANA is ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 19 the U.S. and Canadian National Member of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), and participates and supports ISWA events and programs. SWANA’s conferences and training programs cover all aspects of integrated municipal solid waste management, and the Association is a policy and technical representative of solid waste management practitioners, executives, companies and government organizations.The Compo

22 sting CollaborativeEmail:Info@composting
sting CollaborativeEmail:Info@compostingcollaborative.org Website:www.compostingcollaborative.org The Composting Collaborative is a project of the GreenBlue, BioCycle Magazine, and the U.S. Composting Council. Their mission is to accelerate composting access and infrastructure to improve soil health and divert compostablematerialsfrom landfill. As a collaborative, they are able to provide educational support to groups looking to implement composting in their community or business. Since 2017 The Composting Collaborative has focused on projects to gather better data on organics processing capacity, provide informationaboutpretreatment and preprocessing technologies, and establish optimized soil sampling methodologies. They are presenting at three national conferences in 2019 and 2020 and have provided numerous webinars for anyonelooking for information regarding composting.The Recycling PartnershipAddress:125 Rowell Court, Falls Church, VA 22046Website:https://recyclingpartnership.org/ The Recycling Partnership is a national nonprofit organization that is transforming recycling in towns, cities and states all across America. Their mission is to encourage recycling by offering a different perspective on the role of recycling in our society. They have created tools to enhance recycling that can be customized to specific needs of a town, city or organization or even a business. In the last five years, they have partnered with various stakeholders on recycling enhancement projects. The Recycling Partnership tracks each of theseprojects to create baseline data and case studies in order to train others on how to implement the tools they have created. Toxics Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH)Address:c/o NERC, 139 Main Street, Suite 401, Brattleboro, VT 05301Telephone: (802)2548911Email: info@toxicsinpackaging.org Website:https://toxicsinpackaging.org/ Contact: Melissa Walsh Innes, Program ManagerIn 1990, New Hampshirewas the second state in the nation to adopt the oxicsackaging model legislation developed by the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG). Nineteen states have adopted a toxicspackaging law based on the CONEG model and the model has been usedinternationally. To ensure consistent and effective implementation of the laws, the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) was created in 1992 to simplify the law’s administrative procedurespromote cooperation and information sharing between participating states, minimize procedural burdens on affected industriesand promote understanding and greater awareness of the law’s objectives. TPCH is assisted in its mission by technical a

23 dvisers from representatives of industry
dvisers from representatives of industry and public interest organizations. ��New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services2019BiennialSolid Waste Report 20 The US Composting Council (USCC)ddress:3801 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 190, Raleigh, NC 27607Telephone: (301) 8972715Email:uscc@compostingcouncil.org Website:https://www.compostingcouncil.org The US Composting Council (USCCwas established in 1990 and is a national memberbased organization dedicated to the development and promotion of the composting industry, including the manufacturing, marketing and utilization of compost.USCC members include compost manufacturers, compost marketers, equipment manufacturers, product suppliers, academic institutions, public agencies, nonprofit groups and consulting/engineering firms.United States Department of Agriculture Rural DevelopmentGrants Contact:Water & Environmental Programs NationalOfficeTelephone:(202) 7209583Website:https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/solidwastemanagementgrants NH Contact:Anthony Linardos, State Director Address:87 State Street, Suite 324, PO Box 249, Montpelier, VT 05601Telephone:(802) 8286080Website:https://www.rd.usda.gov/nh The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development provides annual solid waste management grants. The goal is to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources by providing funding for organizations that provide technical assistance or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites. This grant program has helped organizations in New Hampshire provide technical assistance where NHDES has been unable to. United States Environmental Protection Agency U.S. EPA) Sustainable Materials ManagementAddress: Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (5305P), Washington, DC 20460Website:https://www.epa.gov/smm The United States Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Materials Management Program (SMM) provides information to the regulated community as well as the public on managing materials from cradletograve. It is a systematic approach to using and reusing materials over the entire life cycle by highlighting changes in how society thinks about natural resources and environmental protection. EPA’s SMM program provides webinars and training free of charge on all things solid waste including food waste reduction, electronics recycling, C&Drecovery,and partnership opportunities for communities. The SMM program has also gathered data from the states regarding solid waste management, created a waste reduction model (WARM) and other sustainable materials management